Substitute Teacher Training and Protocols Ashford School 440 Westford Road, Ashford, CT Click here to enter the traininghere

Training Overview Click on each individual icon below to enter the specific training sequence:

Overview: Classroom Management and Student Behavior The purpose of this training session is to provide all substitute teachers with: Strategies for establishing and maintaining student motivation Strategies for establishing and maintaining student motivation Approaches for constructively handling student discipline issues Approaches for constructively handling student discipline issues A step-by-step protocol for the student removal and referral process A step-by-step protocol for the student removal and referral process Click to return to training overview Click to continue

Get to Know the Class Begin each day in the classroom familiarizing yourself with the information left by the classroom teacher. This will often include important information about: Students who have specific behavior plans Students who have specific behavior plans Accommodations for special education students Accommodations for special education students If applicable, seating charts If applicable, seating charts Often, you can avoid many smaller behavioral issues by sticking to the routine that the students are familiar with. Remember: You set the tone for the day. The initial impact of the substitute teacher is the key factor to a successful day in the classroom. Be self-confident, resilient, and resourceful as well as patient, honest, and enthusiastic. Click to Continue

Be Sure You Understand the Lesson Plans Read the lesson plans thoroughly. Be sure to identify any pieces of the lesson that you need to differentiate for specific students Read the lesson plans thoroughly. Be sure to identify any pieces of the lesson that you need to differentiate for specific students In the case that the teacher is unable to leave lesson plans, the wall hanger containing the School Safety and Emergency Guide binder should also contain “Emergency Substitute Lesson Plans.” In the case that the teacher is unable to leave lesson plans, the wall hanger containing the School Safety and Emergency Guide binder should also contain “Emergency Substitute Lesson Plans.” Each teacher should have identified a substitute partner teacher. If you have any confusion about sub plans or have any specific questions, seek this person out before the school day begins Each teacher should have identified a substitute partner teacher. If you have any confusion about sub plans or have any specific questions, seek this person out before the school day begins Follow the lesson plans as closely as possible. If a situation arises where certain tasks were not accomplished, make sure you leave a general explanation with feedback for the classroom teacher so they know where to pick up instruction upon their return Follow the lesson plans as closely as possible. If a situation arises where certain tasks were not accomplished, make sure you leave a general explanation with feedback for the classroom teacher so they know where to pick up instruction upon their return If there is an instance where there are no lesson plans and you are unable to find emergency plans, you MUST notify an administrator; additionally, document this in your substitute reflection at the end of the school day. If there is an instance where there are no lesson plans and you are unable to find emergency plans, you MUST notify an administrator; additionally, document this in your substitute reflection at the end of the school day. Click to Continue

Strategies for Behavior Management When dealing with minor behavioral infractions (inappropriate clothing, disrupting the learning of others, horse-play, throwing objects, teasing, not listening, etc.), use the following strategies to redirect the students involved: Proximity - Often your presence when standing near a student who is off task will be enough to redirect them Peer Role-Model - Acknowledging examples of positive behavior works well to reinforce expectations and redirect off-task behavior Private Conversation - Have a private discussion with the student in the hallway, where you can address their behavior without their peers hearing the conversation Seat Change - If behavior persists, move a student’s seat to an area of the classroom where they will be less likely to distract others or to be distracted Use the Sub Partner - If a student is finding it difficult to stay on task, have them complete their work in the Sub Partners classroom Click to Continue Be sure to read the sub plans carefully for specific individual behavior plans that may be in place

Use your resources… If there are building behavioral issues, give the office a quick phone call. If an administrator is available, they will take a walk down to the classroom to check in. Many times, this can serve to correct smaller behavioral issues. Click to continue

Major Behavior Infractions Any student who has a major behavioral infraction should immediately be sent to the main school office However… Please consider a student’s behavior plan, prior to making any decisions in regards to removal from the classroom. Examples of major behavioral infractions include but are not limited to: -Verbal Threats (“I will kill you!”) For younger students (Pre-K to 2), an in-class/verbal response may be appropriate -Causing physical harm to others or to themselves - Threat to the teacher/major classroom disruption -Obscene language. For younger students (Pre-K to 2), an in-class/verbal response may be appropriate -Breaking or damaging property- Misuse of computers (visiting inappropriate sites) Click to continue

1. Speak to the student quietly, in a calm tone of voice, and in private if possible. 2. Be specific about your expectations when they leave. “Please report to the main office. I will call to let them know you are on your way.” If a student is being sent out of the classroom, follow these simple steps: Click to continue

Office Referral Procedure _____________________ Once a student has been sent to the office for behavioral reasons, a referral is mandatory. As the person in the room during the incident, it is the responsibility of the substitute to write a referral as close to the time of the incident as possible, and no later than the end of the school day on which the incident occurs. Click to continue Steps: 1.As soon as a student is sent from the classroom, call the office to notify them that the student is on the way 2.Blank referrals can be found in the substitute plan folders in each teacher’s room 3.Complete the referral in its entirety and deliver it to the main office 4.Include a description of the incident for the classroom teacher in your end-of-day report

Remember… They are just kids… Like adults, kids aren’t perfect. They make mistakes in their pursuit of learning about themselves and the world. If a student is not doing the right thing, don’t be afraid to talk to them. Showing that you genuinely care about their thoughts and opinions will go a long way with most of our students and will earn you more respect and buy-in than force or anger will. For more information on managing student motivation and behavior, visit the following helpful site: To receive credit for completing this part of the training, please complete the “Reflection on Behavior Management Strategies” located on the school website. Click here to visit the reflection now here Click here to return to Training Overview

Overview: School Policies and Procedures The purpose of this training session is to provide all substitute teachers with: An understanding of emergency procedures at Ashford School An understanding of emergency procedures at Ashford School Direction on attendance and other procedures Direction on attendance and other procedures Clarification of responsibilities beyond the classroom Clarification of responsibilities beyond the classroom Clear explanation of important rules and policies Clear explanation of important rules and policies Click to return to training overview Click to continue

Be Prepared! It is the responsibility of the substitute to locate the room copy of the “School Safety and Emergency Guide” binder at the beginning of any day as a substitute. There is critical information and paperwork in this binder that is necessary in the case of a fire drill or other emergency. It is the responsibility of the substitute to locate the room copy of the “School Safety and Emergency Guide” binder at the beginning of any day as a substitute. There is critical information and paperwork in this binder that is necessary in the case of a fire drill or other emergency. The substitute should also take time to study the Ashford School evacuation map, located within the “School Safety and Emergency Guide” binder to understand where you need to bring your class in the case of an evacuation or drill. The substitute should also take time to study the Ashford School evacuation map, located within the “School Safety and Emergency Guide” binder to understand where you need to bring your class in the case of an evacuation or drill. Click to Continue

Substitute Responsibilities During an “Evacuate School” Drill 1. Remain calm and collected. Remember, your students are looking to you for guidance and protection. 2. Remove the class roster and evacuation slip from the “School Safety and Emergency Guide” binder. 3. No cell phone use allowed during an “Evacuate School” drill. 4. Escort students out to their designated fire drill area. (See school evacuation map) Count students as they leave your room. Stay as a group. No locker or bathroom visits allowed at this time. 5. Fill out your evacuation slip, complete with the names of all students present (which may include students who ARE NOT ON YOUR ROSTER ) as well as the names of students who are missing. 6. Hand your evacuation slip, once completed, to the “Captain” at your designated area. This person will be holding a walkie-talkie and will be collecting slips from all groups in your designated area. 7. Maintain student silence. 8. Return to the building only when the “All Clear” signal has been given. Click to continue An “Evacuate School” plan is used during a fire drill or bomb threat.

Substitute Responsibilities During a School Lockdown 1.Pull any students in the hallway that are near to your classroom into the room, then shut the door. (It should already be locked. If not, lock the door.) 2.Close the shades and blinds on the windows as much as possible. Close windows. 3.Turn off the lights and have the students sit on the floor against a wall where they are not visible from the door window, or from the exterior windows. 4.Ignore all fire alarms unless you physically see smoke or a fire. 5.Use the evacuation form to take attendance. 6.ONLY CALL THE OFFICE if you: have a student elsewhere (at the nurse, etc.), have a student who is not assigned to you, or have an adult in the room not assigned to your location. If your attendance is complete and normal, do not call the office. 7.The office will do an “all call” once the lockdown is complete. The code for a lockdown is “AT THIS TIME IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE SCHOOL TO GO INTO A LOCKDOWN,” which will be repeated over the intercom system. During a lockdown, follow these steps: Click to continue

Daily Responsibilities 1. Substitute personnel should report for their assignment to Jen Barsaleau in the Superintendent’s office no later than 8:00 AM. Half day substitutes should sign in or out, at 11:30 AM. The school day does not end until all students have left the building and are on the bus to go home. 2. At the beginning of the day (for PK- grade 4) or at the beginning of each period (grades 5-8 or specials) take attendance on the class roster. Call the office with the names of any absent students. 3. Be sure to follow all sub plans as closely as possible. Teachers spend a lot of time and effort creating lessons that minimize the impact of their absence on their students and as such it is critical that their plans are followed. If plans are confusing, seek out the substitute partner teacher for assistance or clarification. 4. Accidents, illnesses, administration of medication, or other emergencies should immediately be reported to the Principal or Assistant Principal. 5. At the end of the school day, fill out a Substitute Teacher Reflection, found on the school website and report to the Superintendent’s office to return keys and sign a payroll sheet. Click to continue

Other Substitute Responsibilities Cell Phone/iPad Usage The use of cell phones is allowed in the classroom at the discretion of the teacher. Please check the lesson plans for guidance on whether or not phones are allowed in the classroom. Otherwise, cell phone use is at your discretion and based on your comfort level. Treat cell phone use as a minor discipline issue (unless the use is in direct violation of any major behavioral rules… e.g. visiting inappropriate websites, taking pictures or videos of other people, etc.) and respond accordingly. Hallway Monitoring Between class periods, please be standing in the hallway monitoring students during their passing times. Students should be walking (not running) on the right side of the hallway and maintaining a low volume. Remind students of our expectations by stating, “Please walk calmly.” “Please speak quietly, classes are in session.” Remember: Vigilance in the hallway helps to reduce problems and injuries. Click to continue

PRIVACY IS CRITICAL Through the course of your stay in Ashford School, you will undoubtedly come across information about student needs, services, etc. You MUST treat all information as you receive about students, staff, or the school, as confidential. Click to continue

Remember! To receive credit for completing this part of the training, please complete the “Reflection on School Policies and Procedures” located on the school website. Click here to visit the reflection now here In following school policies and procedures, you are going a long way towards providing students with the consistency they need to be successful. Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes, with your sub plans, and with the schedule for the school day. The more you prepare, the more you will meet with success as you work with our students towards their education. Thanks for volunteering to substitute in Ashford School! Click to return to training overview